Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Scenes about Paul Revere

"God Protect Us"﻿

Walking
rapidly across Hanover Street,
Paul Revere turned inward at Joseph Warren's residence, the messenger that had
summoned him at 10 p.m. lagging far behind. Expecting a summons that afternoon,
Revere was somewhat
surprised that it had arrived at this late hour. But General Gage would not
have wanted to begin the transport sooner, even though a crossing in the dark
would be nearly as conspicuous. Anyone witnessing the massing of troops at the
bottom of the Common and the hurried preparations of officers billeted in
private homes would recognize a major undertaking was in the doing.

“You
must go again to warn our friends.” Warren
placed his hands atop the closest high-back chair. “And the town militias!”

“I'm
ready.”

“You
should know … as a precaution … that I have sent a rider across the Neck.”
Eyebrows arched, Warren studied Revere’s face. “I did so a
half hour ago. He may pass the guard, but we cannot be certain.”

“Who?”

“William
Dawes.” Warren read Revere's perplexed expression. “Billy Dawes,
the young cordwainer. Last September he helped remove the four brass cannon
from the gun house.”

“I do
know him. He’s young.”

“Twenty-three.
Courageous, a play actor of sorts. More to our advantage is the soldiers at the
Gate don’t know him. Nor does anybody else, save the officer he knocked to the
street recently for insulting his wife.” Warren
smiled, guardedly.

Revere had devised a way
to have his message carried into the country should he be seized crossing the
River. Not entirely satisfied, Warren had
initiated his own plan, couched to Revere
as cautionary. The good doctor had not wanted to do him injury. He was not
offended. Dawes’s participation mattered to him not one straw. What mattered
was that Warren,
trusting his own considerable lights, had acted. It was yet another example of
why his leadership was widely esteemed.

“How
are you to proceed?” the doctor asked, satisfied apparently that he had not
offended.

“Exactly
as we had decided. I should reach Charlestown
past 11 p.m. if I evade the Somerset.
Whether I do or not, the lanterns will alert Colonel Conant.” He stopped, a
sudden upsurge of emotion affecting his ability to speak. “And you?” he fairly
whispered.

“I
will stay here awhile.” Warren averted Revere’s eyes. His
fingertips brushed twice the top of the chair in front of him. “Useful
information may yet be forthcoming.” He returned Revere's stare. “If the General had wanted to
arrest me, Paul, I would have been at the Province House days before! Seated
comfortably, I should imagine, sipping his Madeira!”
His eyes sparkled.

“Then
I will see you …”

“In a
day or two. Be assured!” He gazed across the room, at the silk drapery, the
mantelpiece figurines, the latticed window. He touched briefly the bridge of
his nose. “God protect you,” he said, offering Revere a sudden, strained smile.